Hello Region 1: Moving to Orange County

[SVTNate]

Live in Orange County, ride in LA County, never go to the 909.

We have no good riding in OC.  People will say Ortega, or maybe they'll say Live Oak Canyon.  Lies.  Ortega is a death trap that can be enjoying in 100 yard spurts before slamming on the brakes for traffic.  Live Oak Canyon is a cool little road that lasts about 2 minutes before the ride is over.

Ortega would be a pretty cool ride if you could figure out a time/day with no traffic and no cops.  These days that's pretty tough to do.

[DangerMoney]

There is no mileage restriction if you are brining in a bike that you previously owned before becoming a CA resident. The 7,500 mile rule only applies to CA residents buying 49 state bikes out of state. Registration fees are ridiculous. The riding (both on and offroad), scenery and access to race tracks is priceless. Njoy!

We moved to CA less than two years ago and I brought the three bikes I own with me. Dogboy has it right: If you had the bikes registered in another state, the 7500 mile rule does not apply. If someone else (the previous owner) had it registered in another state, the rule applies.


HEADS UP: They tried to charge me because one of my bikes had less than 7500 miles on it. I had to tell her the rule does not apply to me because I already had the bikes registered in my old home state.

[squeezer]

There are no jobs anywhere near that area.  Most of the jobs in SoCal are in the Orange County/San Diego area.  

Jobs we got, or we wouldn't be going, though I still have pending applications for a couple of higher paying positions. They're long shots, but we'll see how things work out. The jobs we have are  both in the city of Orange. We've been looking at Corona and Norco because the houses are significantly cheaper. Sounds like the commute isn't worth it, though.

I'm about 10x over the mileage thing on the feejer, so thankfully, that won't be an issue.

Keep the advice and wise ass comments coming! I appreciate both.  

[Rogue]

If you are going to be working in the city of Orange, then find a place around it or south of it.  Tustin, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Anaheim (nicer sections), Westminster, etc.  At least temporarily until you get a much clearer picture of what you are comfortable with.  It’s easy to look at a map and get an idea of distances and cities close by.  But that is should just be a very rough guide because traffic patterns, safety, schools, city zoning, etc., all come into play.  Only you and your wife can decide what’s right for you.  Do research on cities you wish to canvas, then visit in person to see for yourself.

Yes absolutely do NOT live in Riverside County if you work in Orange—the commute is going to be ugly due to rush hour traffic.

[rgbeard]

Yes absolutely do NOT live in Riverside County if you work in Orange—the commute is going to be ugly due to rush hour traffic.

I know it looks close on a map.  Believe us - you'd regret every moment of living in Corona/Norco.

[Flying W]

The best advise on where to live is find the best area as close as possible to work as possible to avoid the OC's insane almost round the clock traffic... My wife worked in Irvine by the airport and we lived in Anaheim hills and her primetime drive of 11 miles took at least an hour each way using the toll road...I grew up in the OC (long ago) and loved it but would never live there again because of how crowded it has become.

[Rogue]

I've lived in both LA County and OC County.  Lived in the OC for over 20 years now.

All of SoCal has become overpopulated and EVERYONE drives a car.  The traffic gets worse during the summer when tourists and students are off roaming the streets.  Orange County has become a tourist destination and transit point for people all over the area.  I have friends & relatives who live in LA who drive to the OC on weekends just to hang out and do things, and that certainly adds to the traffic congestion.  Then there are ton of people driving to San Diego and they have to transit through the OC freeways so this adds another level of congestion.  This is why I made the analogy of Coruscant City....it's like that.  Some people like it, some don't.  There is one good thing about this:  you will never be alone or on your own almost anywhere you go!  If you're the type that likes wide open country and longs for quiet solitude, SoCal is NOT the place for you.  Orange County and surrounding areas are the best places to commute on the motorcycle because the roads are wide, drivers are aware of lane splitting etiquette, and the weather is usually agreeable.

[Lawn Dart]

REPRESENT!

Squeezer, if you do Norco/Corona you'll be about 15 miles from me - It would be expected, of course, for you to join in on a weekend ride or a BBQ.

Peace!

[viffergyrl]

I've lived in both LA County and OC County.  Lived in the OC for over 20 years now.

All of SoCal has become overpopulated and EVERYONE drives a car.  The traffic gets worse during the summer when tourists and students are off roaming the streets.  Orange County has become a tourist destination and transit point for people all over the area.  I have friends & relatives who live in LA who drive to the OC on weekends just to hang out and do things, and that certainly adds to the traffic congestion.  Then there are ton of people driving to San Diego and they have to transit through the OC freeways so this adds another level of congestion.  This is why I made the analogy of Coruscant City....it's like that.  Some people like it, some don't.  There is one good thing about this:  you will never be alone or on your own almost anywhere you go!  If you're the type that likes wide open country and longs for quiet solitude, SoCal is NOT the place for you.  Orange County and surrounding areas are the best places to commute on the motorcycle because the roads are wide, drivers are aware of lane splitting etiquette, and the weather is usually agreeable.

I now live in Ventura County.... and commute twice a month to the mothership in San Diego County. So I'm part of this mess as well, but only on the weekday evenings or Sunday afternoons. The car has Nav + Traffic and XM radio has regular traffic updates for LA. I have done this commute on the bike as well and I prefer the BMW as I get confused with a motocop. People move over more readily.   Sigalert Los Angeles traffic is quite helpful as well.

If you can get a 'work from home' arrangement a couple days a week I'm sure that would help. It depends how progressive your employer is.

And Lawn Dart's BBQs are awesome and there is something known as 'Fast 400' ride.... You don't have to learn the secret handshake just search on this term.  

+1 on living close to where you work. I used to live in Oceanside (10 mile commute, no freeway) until my personal life changed (for the better), and I proposed to my manager this current arrangement. We tried it for a pilot period of three months and now it's a permanent arrangement (at least as long as I have her for a manager - I expect this will have to be re-negotiated periodically).

One last thing - I recommend renting until you get the 'lay of the land' if you can swing it.

Look forward to meeting you when you finally land here!

[squeezer]

REPRESENT!

Squeezer, if you do Norco/Corona you'll be about 15 miles from me - It would be expected, of course, for you to join in on a weekend ride or a BBQ.

Peace!

I'm looking forward to it regardless of where, exactly, we end up living.    

[Rogue]

There used to be a Central Coast tour every April organized by Bluepoof, then Lawn Dart's December ride to Monterey.

Those are really cool rides.  

[stew71]

I'm looking forward to it regardless of where, exactly, we end up living.    

You're gonna love lane-sharing/splitting.  

[DredheadV2.0]

You're gonna love lane-sharing/splitting.  

THIS.  

Never lived in SoCal, but did some time in NorCal (and loved).  Best thing ever.  Turned 1-hour commutes into 20 minutes.

[Meemuh]

Being from Mi where 2 lane roads with a little bit of traffic is the norm...the idea of splitting is a little unsettling.

[DredheadV2.0]

Being from Mi where 2 lane roads with a little bit of traffic is the norm...the idea of splitting is a little unsettling.

When I moved out in '95, I rode into the Bay Area on I-80 during morning rush on a completely overloaded KZ750.  Enjoyed the sights for a little while, but then got really sick of putt-putting along.  A bike whizzed by me as I sat in traffic.  I was thinking "man, that guy's brave/stupid/knows where the cops are..."   Then another.   A couple Harleys trundled by, with the second guy looking at me like I was stupid.  Then I noticed that the drivers in the cars around me had been looking at me curiously, and the car in front of me had sorta slid to one side in the late while the driver repeatedly looked at me in the rear view mirror.

At that point the "don't think we're in Kansas anymore" feeling hit me, I slid to the left, looked long and hard back up the road behind me, then eased out into the "bike lane."  And I was immediately hooked.

Lanesplitting anywhere else makes me nervous - the drivers get aggro really quick, and even the ones that aren't filled with rage still aren't in the habit of at least pretending to check for motorcycles in the shared part of the lane.  At least in California they seem to have gotten used to the idea and adapted to it as best as cagers can.  I still ride with caution and - with the notable exception of one time riding with Ken Sann (me on a lovely black-n-yellow BMW...) - have never vastly exceeded the posted speed/flow of traffic while doing it.

[miles]

I still ride with caution and have never vastly exceeded the posted speed/flow of traffic while doing it.

You're doing it wrong.

[DredheadV2.0]

You're doing it wrong.

Hey, I'm a lightweight.  It's like telling an occasional drinker he's doing it wrong coz he didn't take down the whole bottle of Jack.  

[miles]

If it's any consolation, Lawn Dart is an old hand at lane splitting, but he's still a slowpoke at it, too.

[rgbeard]

Hey, I'm a lightweight.  It's like telling an occasional drinker he's doing it wrong coz he didn't take down the whole bottle of Jack.  

That.

Go too slowly, and you're making lanesharing a problem.

15-20 over the traffic flow is about right for it, IMHO.

Posted speed limit???  WTF is that??  

[Lawn Dart]

If it's any consolation, Lawn Dart is an old hand at lane splitting, but he's still a slowpoke at it, too.

I like to think I'm being polite.